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Welcome to my blog where you can expect to find authentic, thoughtful, and slightly poetic posts every week.
Every post encourages you to wrestle with wisdom and think productively through
- Surprising Insights
- Deep Explanations
- Stimulating Questions
If you like what you read, don't forget to subscribe and get notifications of each blog in your inbox!
--Pstr. Joshua
Making Jesus Your Home
by Joshua Cole
When life is complicated and difficult, we need a good shelter.
Jesus is the only decent shelter for us.
But what is making Him our shelter really like?
Read this post for insight into how to gain the protection that a relationship with the Lord provides.
Listening Carefully to Peace
by Joshua Cole
Why is it so hard to find peace?
Where can we find it?
Read this post to learn where peace comes from.
Stumbling Over Jesus
by Joshua Cole
Why is it so hard to have a close relationship with Jesus?
I mean, His offer of friendship is so "easy".
Trust in His death and resurrection, ask for forgiveness, follow His teachings, and you go to heaven.
Sounds like a simple plan, but walking it out proves to be humanly impossible.
Read this post to see how to get closer to Jesus.
The Master of Breakthroughs
by Joshua Cole
The journey of life is fraught with difficulties, fears, and challenges.
We must have courage to face these enemies.
But how do we have victory--breakthrough--over these enemies?
Read this post to see how David broke through.
Don't Hold Onto The Rock and You Won't Drown
by Joshua Cole
Wondering what to do about someone who won't listen?
Are you worried that you haven't done enough to help or persuade?
Read this post to find out how Jesus taught us to deal with stubborn refusals and rejections.
Harmony Is Life
by Joshua Cole
No matter how strong or good you are, you've run into walls.
If you haven't, one is on its way.
What can we do to meet these challenges and make it through life successfully?
What could keep us going through any hardship?
Read this post to find out.
A Witness
by Joshua Cole
Are you frustrated with people who won't listen to truth and good reason?
Do you love someone who just won't believe you?
Read this post to see how Jesus handled it.
It'll show you why God deals with cynics and doubters at all.
God's Choice
by Joshua Cole
God chooses His people because He loves them.
They may not be big, significant, or powerful.
Matter of fact, most of them aren't any of those things.
Read this post to see how God loves to favor the insignificant ones.
Avoiding Crazy Cycles
by Joshua Cole
Do you find yourself stuck in crazy cycles of dysfunction with family or friends?
Have you noticed people putting on a front of Christianity but making decisions that make you doubt it?
Read this post to see how to avoid these crazy, hypocritical cycles.
God's Beloved
by Joshua Cole
Ever feel like God's love is out of reach?
Or maybe that your troubles prove that God hates you?
Read this post to see God's promise of love to you.
Succeeding With Success
by Joshua Cole
Beware Success!
The rewards that come after victory can pull you away from a sense of purpose.
It can pull you away from the smaller satisfying things that bring you closer to God.
Read this post to get a plan that will keep you safe after success.
Hands And Mouth Working Together
by Joshua Cole
If more stuff and more money is all we need to be happy, why aren't we happier?
There's more to it than working harder and longer.
There's more to it than spending more money.
Read this post to find out how to be happy with the good in your life.
ID Check
by Joshua Cole
Life goes so fast and so much that it's easy to lose our sense of identity.
Who are we? What are we capable of?
What are we responsible for?
How do we hold on to ourselves?
Read this post for the best life hack to know who you are.
The Calling In Tragedy
by Joshua Cole
We get through a lot of stress and junk without stopping.
But what should we do when we experience tragedy?
Especially tragedy upon tragedy.
Read this post to discover what we are called to do in overwhelming suffering.
Hold Your Tongue To Hold On To The Relationship
by Joshua Cole
Angry outbursts do heavy damage.
And even if you apologize, the damage has been done.
Don't lose your relationships because of your words!
Read this post to discover the solution to an angry tongue.
Feeding On His Faithfulness
by Joshua Cole
Are you searching for happiness?
Do you feel empty?
A spiritual diet full of God's faithfulness will make your soul fat and happy.
Read this post to learn how to grow your happiness and satisfaction.
Significance of the Loaves
by Joshua Cole
Grace and mercy are hard to come by.
Everyone seems to expect too much from us.
We also seem to expect too much from us.
How can we be filled with grace and mercy in a world like this?
Read this post and find out.
Wisdom Farmers and Bakers
by Joshua Cole
Don't you just wish they'd pay attention?!
The agony of seeing someone you love refuse to learn and stay stupid is almost unbearable.
Solomon most certainly feels your pain and has a word of wisdom to offer you if you're willing...
Read this post to learn how to find peace when they won't listen.
Only A Brother
by Joshua Cole
Do you feel the stress of responsibility?
How about the fear of someone else destroying everything because of their decisions?
Read this post for Jesus' fantastic lifehack to remove this anxiety.
Confidence In Innocence
by Joshua Cole
Guilt makes everything so much more difficult.
It just eats at you and won't let peace settle.
Why do we feel this guilt if we've believed in Jesus' forgiveness?
Read this post to learn the #1 reason Christians feel guilty.
Tax Free
by Joshua Cole
The pressure of tax obligations and the fear of not having enough left when the government gets their share grips us.
Jesus showed Peter how to get through these pressures with peace and confidence.
Read this post to see how Jesus paid His taxes.
Going Back To God's House
by Joshua Cole
What do you do when your own family has put you in a terrible place?
Or when all you've worked for is at risk?
Jacob knows how you feel.
Read this post to see what God told him to do when everything was falling apart.
Creative Power
by Joshua Cole
Sadness and disconnection are a common experience.
When life is too much for you and you can't seem to pull it together, what can you turn to?
As harsh as the world is, God has not left us without powerful tools to connect us to each other, eternal truths, and peace.
Read this post to see how God uses creative power to rescue His people.
I Witness
by Joshua Cole
Want to improve but can't seem to find the motivation?
Wonder if trying anything new is worth the effort because you always come short of your goals?
Then you could be suffering from the accusations of your inner critic.
Read this post to see how to break free of paralyzing criticism.
Making Room
by Joshua Cole
Like Mary and Joseph, we travel through life looking for room.
We look for someone to listen.
Like the innkeeper, we can make room even if all we have is rough as a stable.
Read this post to see how to make room for weary souls.
Slowing Down in the Christmas Rush
by Joshua Cole
Ever come to the end of December and wonder where the magic went?
Feel like you were farther from God than at other times of the year?
The Holidays can be so stressful!
But it's not supposed to be that way.
Read this post to rediscover how to center yourself during the holidays.
Perpetual Fruitfulness
by Joshua Cole
Wish you could be super productive everyday?
There are some fantastic methods for getting more things done.
This post is not that.
Even at max capacity, we all have limits.
Read this post for perspective when you are not as productive as you want to be.
It will encourage and guide your heart in grace as you work diligently today.
Not thankful? You’re Not Alone.
by Joshua Cole
Just because you should be thankful, doesn't mean it comes easily.
If you don't feel thankful right now, you are not alone.
We all struggle to maintain gratitude.
Read this post to learn how to regain thankfulness.
Covenants Change Lives
by Joshua Cole
Meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless...
Or so the preacher in your head cries.
Although there may be a lot of reasons why you don't feel satisfied.
Reading this post will show you the fundamental key to escape meaningless.
Fighting In My Own Way
by Joshua Cole
Do you ever feel unsure about the way you tackle your life because someone else doesn't think much of your tools or methods?
Many people pressure us to approach things their way like King Saul telling David to wear his armor to fight Goliath.
Read this post for encouragement to fight your own way.
Why God In Three Persons
by Joshua Cole
The Christian idea of the Trinity (God existing as three distinct Persons who are all completely God) is a mysterious concept.
Even if we can't fully understand how one Being can be three, what God's triune nature teaches us is invaluable to our lives.
Read this post to understand why it matters that God is One in Three Persons.
Making Joy Possible
by Joshua Cole
Don't have enough time to build the life you want?
Makes you wonder if you'll find joy at the end of all the effort.
If you can't even get through all the tasks you have now, how can you be guaranteed that you'll come to rest and joy at the end of your life?
The guarantee isn't in your work.
It's in God's work.
Read this post about how God is making joy possible for you.
And relax...
Divine Teamwork
by Joshua Cole
All Christ followers want to make God happy.
They all want to know God's perfect will.
But God doesn't dictate all the details of our lives.
So how do you know if you're in God's will?
Read this post and see.
How To Ask God Why
by Joshua Cole
Life is often painful.
Is there any room to ask God "Why?"
Yes.
And this post will show you how.
Letting Go and Letting God Is A Scary Thing
by Joshua Cole
You'd think letting go would be easier than being a control freak.
Too bad it's not easy...it's scary.
But if we would let go, we'd have more rest and peace as we trust God deeply.
Moses shows us what letting go and letting God looks like in this post.
7 Indicators That You Need Rest
by Joshua Cole
No one sets out to lose that child-like power to play, delight in life, and relax easily.
But it happens to most of us.
There's just too much to do and our work is never done.
How do we know when to rest?
Read this post to find out!
What's A Christian To Do?
by Joshua Cole
It's not easy to know how to respond to controversial situations as a Christian.
How can Christians know how to act in a world that doesn't seem to care what God thinks?
What if the world demands things of Christians that they don't feel right about?
Read this post to find out what Jesus did to get through His controversial moments.
God Wants To Celebrate You!
by Joshua Cole
Want to cause a celebration in heaven?
It's not about doing more or accomplishing greater things.
It's about your heart and the words that come from it.
It really lights God up when he hears you speak right things--just like any good parent.
This post will inspire you to turn from foolishness and seek wisdom.
The Hell of Not Thinking Critically
by Joshua Cole
We all want to be nice...well, most of us do!
And we are pressured to just go along with the flow even if we disagree internally.
But, denying the God-given judgment function in our brains leads to a hellish consequence.
Learn about the automatic nature of your critical thinking and why you should embrace your ability to think critically in this post.
What Good Is A Conscience?
by Joshua Cole
Your inner peace largely depends on your relationship with your conscience.
It knows the laws written deep in your heart.
Read today's post to learn the purpose and benefit of your conscience.
3 Knowledge Facts That Will Make You More Knowledgeable
by Joshua Cole
Here are 3 things every knowledgeable person knows about knowledge.
If you wish to have more knowledge, read this post.
You'll learn how knowledge benefits your life.
Plus, I'll let you in on a little secret to gaining knowledge...
Deduction.
Elementary, my dear Watson. 😉
How to Build Your Community
by Joshua Cole
We've been sent by God to communities He has selected for us to impact.
Do you know how to build the community that God has sent you to?
Paul was a masterful builder of community.
Learn community building tips from him in this post.
Judge The Right Thing
by Joshua Cole
Are you struggling to live free of judgment?
Want to live without the stress of self-criticism?
Then read this post and learn the secret to a judgement-free existence.
3 Things You Should Do to Get the Most out of your Mentors
by Joshua Cole
Every hero needs mentors on their journeys for guidance and reassurance.
Whether the mentor is an elder in your church, community, or company, or a successful person you want to be like,
Getting the most out of them requires some work.
Read this post to discover 3 things you should be working on to glean from your mentors.
Excitement Needed!
by Joshua Cole
We all want joy, but one thing seems to keep it just out of reach...
Our complicated relationship with excitement.
Have a difficult time with excitement?
Read this post to learn how to grow excitement that will cause joy to come alive in your soul.
The Greatest Glory Goes to the Greatest Struggler
by Joshua Cole
Ever wonder if it's worth all the effort?
Can't possibly see how you could be of any help or inspiration to anyone else because of the trouble you have in life?
This post will show you how your weaknesses bring you the greatest glory. Read it to learn how to take pleasure in them.
The Secret To Strength
by Joshua Cole
Want to live a life full of meaning and satisfaction?
You'll need a lot of strength.
This post will show you from the Bible how to have that kind of strength.
Heroes Turn The Tide
by Joshua Cole
What Does It Mean to Be A Spiritual Being?
by Joshua Cole
We depend so much on our creativity, conscience, and perception to get through life.
But where do these come from?
How can I become more creative, self-aware, principled, and wise person?
By knowing what your spirit is for and how to operate it.
Read this post to find out what it means to be a spiritual being.
After all, you are one.
Is The Foundation Strong Enough For Your House?
by Joshua Cole
Life is a heavy thing with all its people, problems, and potential.
Only the strong foundation of Jesus Christ is able to hold up to all that pressure.
This post will enlighten you to the weight of glory and encourage you to obey Jesus' commands.
It's the only way to walk firmly through this life's blessings and difficulties.
By Joshua Cole
Peace Is Remembering Her Birthday and Never Her Age
By Joshua Cole
Peace doesn't come easily.
It's a diplomatic process full of soul-searching and choosing to honor the value of others.
Read this post about the fine art of peace-making.
What It Takes To Live Right
We've all heard the proverb that you reap what you sow.
But how do you get yourself to sow the right things?
We all have good intentions, but God has to intervene in our lives for us to learn how to fulfill those good intentions to live right.
This post will show you how He does that.
Why Let Satan Fill Your Heart?
by Joshua Cole
It'd probably be better for us if we received the consequences for our hypocrisy right away like Ananias and Sapphira experienced in Acts 5.
We'd be very slow to lie to God.
But it doesn't work that way most of the time.
Consequences of hypocrisy slowly spread death throughout our lives and the church.
Read in this post how God's revealed power at the start of the church is still warning us that only authenticity brings us life.
Courage Comes After Trust
